Chinook, crew cross state line to help bolster community park

National Guard, Feb 2002

Iowa

An Iowa Army National Guard aviation unit's renown for moving bridges now extends across the state's southern border with Missouri.

Amid much fanfare, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter and crew from F Company, 106th Aviation lifted a more than 100-year-old bridge to its new home at Stagecoach Park in Polo, Mo., Jan, 17.

More than 200 people came with cameras and camcorders to capture the Chinook carrying the 18,000-pound, historical cargo into the park, It was the fifth bridge the unit has moved in the last five years. The aircraft is capable of externally hauling loads of up to 26,000 pounds.

The helicopter flew from Davenport, Iowa, to the small village of New York, Mo., to pick up the bridge. The span, built in 1875, was located along Otter Creek. From there, it was a seven-- minute flight to the new park in Polo, where the bridge will be part of a walking trail.

Dee Dee Aubrey and her daughter, Amy Aubrey, were among those who came to watch. She said the new bridge is exciting. The crowd included many children-who were able to tour the helicopter afterward.

The bridge placement was a significant step toward completing the new park. It already features playground equipment but the Polo Community Betterment Corp. wanted to span a small a creek to add more attractions. However, building a bridge would have been costly.

Caldwell County authorities offered the 19th-century bridge, but could provide no assistance in moving the structure.

Polo officials decided to approach the military for help, but neither the Missouri National Guard nor a local Army Reserve unit could handle the job. The city then appealed across the state line for support.

Chief Warrant Officer Johnny Evans, the Chinook pilot, said the mission was undertaken as a training exercise This month, he and his crew will be moving two bridges in Iowa City.

-NGAUS staff report